Officer critical in coma after California gunfight

By Associated Press
| 12:36 a.m.Aug. 23, 2014

San Bernardino Police investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press

San Bernardino Police investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

An investigator inspects a weapon that rests on the ground near a vehicle as San Bernardino Police investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDITThe Associated Press

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An investigator inspects a weapon that rests on the ground near a vehicle as San Bernardino Police investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

San Bernardino police chief Jarrod Burguan gives details about an early morning gun battle where a police officer shot and killed a gunman that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDITThe Associated Press

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San Bernardino police chief Jarrod Burguan gives details about an early morning gun battle where a police officer shot and killed a gunman that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

San Bernardino Detectives investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDITThe Associated Press

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San Bernardino Detectives investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

San Bernardino Detectives secure the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDITThe Associated Press

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San Bernardino Detectives secure the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

Yellow markers surround a vehicle at the scene as San Bernardino Police investigate where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDITThe Associated Press

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Yellow markers surround a vehicle at the scene as San Bernardino Police investigate where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

Yellow markers and a Toyota 4-Runner with bullet holes are shown as San Bernardino Police investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDITThe Associated Press

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Yellow markers and a Toyota 4-Runner with bullet holes are shown as San Bernardino Police investigate the scene where a police officer shot and killed a gunman during an early morning shootout that began after another officer was gravely wounded Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, Calif. (AP Photo/The Sun, Micah Escamilla) MANDATORY CREDIT

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A San Bernardino policeman remained in a medically induced coma Saturday after he was shot in the head by a man who was then killed by another officer in a shootout, police said.

Garcia was responding to treatment and fighting for his life, police Chief Jarrod Burguan said in a post on the Police Department's Facebook page.

Garcia is a highly commended, six-year veteran of the department who has spent much of his career on patrol duty and some time on a graffiti task force, police said. His father, Ron Garcia, is a captain with the department.

Gabriel Garcia was shot once in the head and twice in the upper body on Friday, Lt. Richard Lawhead said.

Garcia and his partner — a trainee on the job for just two months — stopped to talk to a group of people standing outside a home on a cul de sac when one of them pulled a gun and immediately opened fire, Burguan said earlier.

During a shootout, Garcia's partner fired at least 30 rounds and wounded the gunman, Lawhead said.

The shooter, identified by police as Alex Alvarado, 38, of San Bernardino, died at a hospital.

Lawhead said investigators were still trying to determine whether anyone else in the group fired at the officer.

Two other men were arrested and jailed. Jonathan Contreras, 20, of San Bernardino was held on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an assault rifle and a gun with a sawed-off barrel, police say.

While Alvarado fired the weapons, they were in the possession of Contreras, Burguan has said.